The Classic Film and TV Cafe is a blog devoted to classic movies and television series, ranging from the silent film era to the 1980s. If you're a fan of classic Hollywood, world cinema, or TV shows like The Fugitive and The Avengers, then come on into the cafe and join in the conversation!

Sunday, March 25, 2012

Michael Powell and Me

In 1985, my wife and I organized a celebrity auction as a fundraising event for a non-profit film society we founded in Kentucky. Most celebrities don't contribute items for such auctions, which is understandable since they probably get thousands of requests each year. When you do receive an item, such as a Dennis the Menace sketch by Hank Ketcham, the response is typically from the celebrity's agent or assistant. However, once in a while, a famous person takes the time to write a personal note. I've always loved the letter and annotated photo below from Michael Powell, which accompanied an autographed paperback of The Red Shoes.

Michael Powell was not only a great filmmaker, but--like Truffaut and Scorsese--he promoted the history and the craft of making films. When I hear people comment that "they don't make movies like they used to," I think of a Powell quote: "Seventy years ago, there were men like D.W. Griffith. And seventy years later, now, there are not many men like Martin Scorsese. But so long as there is one, there will be others, and the art of the cinema will survive."

As for Powell's love affair with the cinema, it began at an early age and ended only with his death in 1990. In the first of his two autobiographies, A Life in Movies (a must for any film buff), Powell describes when he was offered his first job in the industry, as an assistant to director Harry Lachman: "I didn't know what to say. I only knew that I stood on the threshold of a new and wonderful life, half in and half out, and that I must, must, cross that threshold."

Fortunately﻿ for us, Powll crossed that threshold and enjoyed an amazing career, making films alone and with his frequent collaborator Emeric Pressberger (they formed a production company called The Archers). Over the next four days, the Classic Film & TV Cafe is delighted to host A Tribute to The Archers: A Powell & Pressberger Movie Blogathon. Ten films will be reviewed by 14 classic movie bloggers. We encourage you to check them out and share your affection for some of the greatest films ever made.

Oh, and about that copy of The Red Shoes that Michael Powell sent for the celebrity auction. Even though we had items from Ray Bradbury, Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward, the President, and even a dress worn by Vanna White on Wheel of Fortune, none matched the bidding war for that Red Shoes book. And, sadly, I didn't get it!

Thanks for sharing this experience and your connection to Michael Powell. I have only seen two "Archers" film (THE RED SHOES and PEEPING TOM) but I do have BLACK NARCISSSUS and THE 49th PARALLEL buried somewhere in my collection. Really need to dig them out. Both of the films I have seen are out and out excellent pieces of cinema, and interesting enough, both deal with aspects of the artistic process and temperament, though they are extremely different in storyline.

Rick, you are so lucky to have that wonderful and thoughtful letter from a renowned man! Not many take the time to do such a thing. Just seeing the salutation, Dear Richard, must have been a thrill. Powell solo and in his collaboration with Pressberger must be remembered and his work celebrated. This is one way to do it!

Rick ~ Thank you for sharing your personal anecdote regarding Michael Powell, the man and the director. I recently re-watched “The Small Back Room” in anticipation of my contribution to your blogathon, and part of the Special Features include audio excerpts from Powell’s autobiography. I was impressed by his charm, his intelligence and his vision, and I am pleased to learn that Michael Powell was as encouraging and thoughtful as I imagined him. On a practical note, does your film society still exist and is it (hopefully) thriving?

Dawn, THE RED SHOES is immensely popular among ballet fans and there was no way I was going to outbid them. (However, I did get a script of O LUCKY MAN! with an inscription from Lindsay Anderson). Whistlingypsy, our film society is no longer in existence, but it lasted for over two decades. At its peak, we showed classic films on 16mm each month in a small public auditorium. It was great fun!

This is a wonderful post, Rick! That is such a kind letter you received from Michael Powell, too. The Classic Film and TV Cafe and all blogs that pay tribute to cherished works would, I believe, be part of that blessing spoken of in Powell's wonderful letter. Thanks for sharing this lovely memory with us.

I must add my thanks to you for sharing this story about Michael Powell. And thank you too for organizing this blogathon. It will be a real pleasure, and an instructive experience, reading and writing about this legendary production partnership.

Rick, a wonderfully personal debut post for the blogathon. I'm sure that even without the personal connection, though, you'd still be a fan of Powell. You're sure right about "A Life in Movies" being essential for any movie fan--or any fan of good writing, for that matter--so exceptionally well written and revealing is it. I pored over the book for weeks then reread parts of it again. I returned to it in preparation for my own post for the blogathon and found it an indispensable reference. Anyway, a great idea for a blogathon and I can hardly wait to read the perspectives of your contributors on his compact but essential body of work.

From that wonderful letter, I get the definite impression that Michael Powell was a gem of a man, a true gentleman and a movie maven extraordinaire.

Funny, I just finished watching HUGO the other night and had talked about the book THE INVENTION OF HUGO CABRET a couple of weeks ago - both movie and book about the love of film and the inspired dreams of movie-maker, Georges Miele. Reading about Powell emphasized for me, once again, the love I've always felt for films and the influence they've had on my life.

What a wonderful introduction to the blogathon. i am instantly smitted with Powell. The letter alone is testament to his character. A prozed possession.

Of the Powell-Pressburger films, I've seen only Black Narcissus. I'm looking forward to reading the commentary on that and the other films featured. once again, I come into the cafe for a film education!

I just wanted to add a huge thank you for choosing The Archers for a blogathon. I have seen 3/4ths of their movie output, and am really enjoying everyone's posts and insights. I wish there were filmmakers like Powell and Pressburger around today making original and thoughtful films.

Sorry to hear that you lost out on the Red Shoes bid, Rick...but in my opinion, you got one heck of a consolation prize (I am really digging that stationery). The anecdote truly kicked things off in high gear.

Oh, and thanks for hosting the blogathon, too -- it was a phenomenal success!

I really appreciate this story and love, love, love to hear about your film society. And if I recall, I won something in that auction that was tailor-made for me! A signed picture of my favorite music group, HEART! I still cherish it.

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